Fresh produce compliance: 8 steps to implementation
Retailer programs, GFSI schemes and regulations ask for the same core evidence. These eight steps build it into daily operations.
Key points
- Compliance is evidence: if it is not recorded, it did not happen.
- Audits and corrective actions are a loop – document both.
- Clean then sanitise; verify and record.
- Monitor temperature in storage and in transit.
1. Put a management system in place
A business system that records receivals, QC, packing, labels and dispatch gives you most of what Walmart, Whole Foods, Woolworths, Coles, Tesco and ALDI programs ask for. Producepak is built for this.
2. Traceability
Lot IDs at receival, scanned batch inputs and dispatch scans. See how to implement packhouse traceability.
3. Records
Keep cleaning, pest control, temperature, training, QC and corrective action records in one place, searchable by date and lot.
4. Regular audits
Internal audits check cleanliness, temperature control, equipment, hygiene and adherence to procedures. Frequency depends on product risk and the scheme. Document results systematically.
5. Fix violations promptly
Investigate cause, correct it (repair, retrain, revise procedure), document every step and follow up to confirm the fix works. Treat findings as information about weak points.
6. Sanitise food-contact surfaces
Cleaning removes visible soil; sanitising kills or inactivates microorganisms. Do both, with approved chemicals, on a schedule, and verify effectiveness.
7. Train staff in hygiene
Handwashing, illness exclusion, safe handling and storage, and the consequences of non-compliance. Retrain regularly and keep records.
8. Monitor temperatures
Know the correct storage temperature for each product, monitor continuously, calibrate sensors and keep records – including in transit, using data loggers on longer journeys.
Frequently asked questions
Which standards apply to fresh produce packers?
Commonly GLOBALG.A.P. (and PHA), BRCGS, SQF, Freshcare and HARPS in Australia, plus regulations such as FSMA in the US and SFCR in Canada. Your customers decide which apply.
Does Coles or Woolworths require specific labels?
Yes. Both publish supplier labelling and EDI requirements. Producepak includes their label formats.
